Personality Connect

If you’re living with depression here are ten non-conventional ways to deal with the struggle:

1. Seek a therapist (ok, I know I said these were non-conventional strategies but I can’t move on until I list this as one of the top priorities). If you’re having trouble looking for one, check this out: Searching For a Therapist: What to Look for And What Not To Look For

2. Start chronicling your experience. Not journaling about your day or the other traditional ways of organizing your thoughts – although those are all good methods, again this is not about the already well-known techniques. You may think that your journey isn’t unique but everyone’s experience is different. Think about the different forms to share your journey such as doing podcasts, videos, organizing a local support group, etc.

3. If possible, start traveling more – even if it’s to site-see in different states or around your state. There are a lot of great free museums in each capital of every state that most people don’t know about. If you or your family enjoys camping (at national parks, near beaches, etc.) it’s a great, low-budget way to take a mini-vacation. If camping isn’t your thing then you can search for other ways to travel and get out of your normal environment.

4. Try learning a new language. Learning a new language isn’t easy, especially if you’re like me and you need to be submerged in the culture, however, it can be fun and engaging that part of the brain scientifically improves memory and brain elasticity. This can also help reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

5. Shake up your exercise routine. This may seem conventional, but most people attempt to try the same failed routine they’ve used in the past and it doesn’t last. There are a lot of wonderful exercise and food blogs/sites that offer different recipes and new ways to try exercising. For example, most people don’t have a lot of time to work out and don’t always want to go to the gym. Fitness blender on youtube: (https://www.youtube.com/user/FitnessBlender) has videos ranging from 5 minutes upward. Studies show that even 20 minutes of activity a day can be very beneficial. Trying something new like indoor rock climbing, a pure barre or yoga class, karate…. any of these could be a new area of interest.

6. Focus on your diet. Again this looks conventional but many people overlook common vitamin and mineral deficiencies has been linked to poor mood and mental health. If you can see a nutritionist or dietician to get tested for food sensitivities/allergies and other possible deficiencies it can make a huge difference. Also not every diet is going to work for everyone. Even though some faddish diets may be popular now, it doesn’t mean that every body type is going to be able to sustain that way of eating.

7. Take a free course at a local community college or online. There are a lot of new options these days for online learning and many places offer a discount depending on the time of year if it’s not free. They have different classes ranging from technology, arts and crafts, languages, music, cooking, mechanical, etc. People have taken these new skills and turned it into a side business. You may discover a talent you never knew existed!

8. Make some music. Usually listening to music is one of the conventional ways of improving mood. It’s a wonderful option and I want to take it a step further by challenging you to try picking up a new instrument or taking voice lessons, writing songs, etc. If you’ve always wanted to learn how to play the piano or flute then why not?

9. Start challenging yourself. When you think about battling depression and other moods, begin to challenge yourself to find new ways and methods of coping. Push your creativity abilities, expand your options, figure out your own non-conventional ways to deal with depression, anxiety, etc.

10. Reorganize your life. Start with cleaning projects like going through clothes, random stuff that you don’t use anymore. Donate them to goodwill or sell them online, they have several online sites where you can sell your items. Go through and re-prioritize what’s important to you. This could mean setting boundaries, or establishing healthier boundaries; figuring out what’s really important to you and what’s healthy for your life.

If you’re looking to be supportive with someone who is struggling with depression then click here: Supporting Someone with Depression: Five Helpful Points and Five Unhelpful Points